Scuba Diving Archives - Page 31 of 117

Holy mackerel! Er, more like holy scad! This thrilling moment under the sea was captured by Flickr user Ka wai punahele off the coast of Bonaire, an island in the southern chain of the Netherlands Antilles.

The photographer writes; “It’s an amazing experience to have a big shoal of fish come straight towards you and then suddenly change direction and swim around you – quite surreal.” Bonaire is world renowned for its excellent scuba diving and is consistently rated among the best diving locations in the world. Even Bonaire’s license plates carry the logo Diver’s Paradise!

If you have an incredible travel moment to share, upload it to Flickr and include it in our Gadling Flickr Pool; it could be our next Photo of the Day!

Daily Pampering: Queensland’s ReefSleep lets travelers sleep on the Great Barrier Reef

by Melanie Nayer on Jul 21, 2010

You’ve slept under the stars, but have you ever tried to slumber in the ocean? Now you can, thanks to a new sleep chamber set up in Queensland, Australia.

Adventure seekers can enjoy the wonders of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef inside Fantasea ReefSleep’s private underwater viewing chamber, no air tank needed. This might just be the underwater explorations dream come true – Reefsleep allows you to stay a private night literally on the Great Barrier Reef, the most extensive reef system in the world.

Located 40 nautical miles from the Australia mainland, guests will arrive via catamaran for their two day/one night adventure at Fantasea Reefsleep, a specially designed floating platform at Hardy Reef. Overnight guests receive exclusive access to reef activities such as scuba diving, snorkel tours, the semi-submersible and a water slide.

The underwater hotel comes complete with a king size bedroom and a quad room with bunks (perfect for families). Your Reefsleep experience includes one night stay, alfresco dinner with wine, full breakfast, lunch, sunset cocktails, two scuba dives or a snorkel safari and private use of Reefsleep amenities. Rates start at $630 AUD per person (approximately $525 USD).

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

World’s most eco-friendly beaches to visit now

by Laurel Miller on Jul 20, 2010

If your idea of heaven isn’t a beach packed with crisping bodies, balls of crude, or the lingering whiff of raw sewage, don’t worry. CNN has provided a list sandy idylls that retain their purity, even though a few, like Oahu’s Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, are major tourist attractions, or located in tourism hotspots. Not surprisingly, most of these places are located on preserves or otherwise protected land, or are so isolated, they’re spared the excesses of humanity.

Other top picks include Whitehaven Beach in Australia’s Whitsunday Islands, Koh Libong in Trang Province, Thailand, and Oregon’s Oswald West State Park, as well as locations in South and Central America, and Europe. Best of all, there’s something for almost everyone on this list, as accomodations range from off-site luxury, to nearby camping and mid-range beach bungalows and guest houses (due to remote location, prices are somewhat jacked up). Small price to pay for a slice of paradise.

[Via Mother Nature Network]

Sun soaked: The best beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast

by Gadling Staff on Jul 17, 2010

It’s not all tar balls in Florida. Along Florida’s Gulf Coast you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches in the south, and some so private you’d think you were on your own private island. Where are these pristine paradises? Read on, and don’t forget your sunscreen!

Indian Rocks Beach (12th Street), Florida: Grab breakfast at Crabby Bills followed by a day at this beach, where egrets strut behind the fisherman and dolphins minuet between the markers. Outdoor showers dot each public beach access and ample parking across the street means anyone can enjoy this beach. When you’re done with floating around on your noodle, dine at IRB Sushi, Guppy’s or Villa Gallaci, or catch the bands at J.D.’s and My Place.

Caladesi Island, Florida: This unspoiled sanctuary was raked America’s #1 Beach 2008. Nature trails and a family-oriented nature center grace the area, and that’s about all –well, except for the beach, of course. Caladesi Island Ferry departs from Honeymoon Island State Park to Caladesi, where you can surf, fish, shell, kayak, dock your boat at the marina and cruise the snack and gift shop.

Anna Marie Island, Florida: North of Bradenton and Sarasota, locals know to head over to the talcum powder sands outside the SandBar. By noon, yachts are moored, boat drinks are hoisted and mahi and burgers are served on the patio. Anna Marie Cottages is a stone’s throw from the pristine Gulf beaches, where savvy vacations know to book a room for the night. Head to dinner at the Waterfront or Rotten Ralphs, or down Longboat Key to the top Zagat’s pick, Euphemia Hayes. No lifeguards on duty, so these benign beaches are best for adults.

Turtle Beach, Florida: Siesta Key is a barhopper’s haven, especially Daiquiri Deck, but this haven on Turtle Beach is for locals only. No lifeguard in sight, but free parking, picnic tables, playground, shower and restrooms, plus a nearby boat launch make it a handy weekend retreat for those who prefer reading under a beach umbrella with a cooler full of sandwiches and chips.

Nanette Wiser is a Seed.com contributer.

Travel + Leisure picks the best tour operators and safari outfitters

by Kraig Becker on Jul 13, 2010

A few days back we told you about Travel + Leisure magazine’s picks for the world’s best hotels, which are part of their annual World’s Best Awards in which T+L readers select the very best in travel from around the globe. Other categories in the survey include selections for best cities, islands, airlines, and more.

Of particular interest to adventurous travelers are the magazine’s selections for the Top 20 Tour Operators and Safari Outfitters which shines the spotlight on some of the best adventure travel companies in the world. The selections are a result of readers ranking the various companies in six unique criteria including staff/guides, itineraries/destinations, activities, accommodations, food, and value. Respondents to the survey were asked to rate the the characteristics from 1 to 5, with 5 representing an “excellent” rating and a 1 delivering a “poor” score. The averages of the component ratings were then used to assign each of the tour operators a ranking on the Travel + Leisure list.

The best tour operators and safari outfitters in the world, according to the readers of Travel + Leisure are:

Each of those are excellent adventure travel companies with a wide variety of options, allowing travelers to visit remote and spectacular places around the world.